(19)

(11)

EP 0 772 422 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.05.1997 Bulletin 1997/20 (21) Application number: 95928655.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.07.1995

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 18/ 12( . ) A61B 18/ 14( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1995/008877 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/002180 (01.02.1996 Gazette 1996/06)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 15.07.1994 US 19940275598 (71) Applicant: VITAL MEDICAL PRODUCTS CORPORATION Sausalito, CA 94965-2853 (US)	(72) Inventors: EGGERS, Philip, E. Dublin, OH 43017 (US) DENEN, Dennis, Joseph Columbus, OH 43229 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Siebertstrasse 4 81675 München 81675 München (DE)